David Cameron: 3,800 troops to come home from Afghanistan next year

David Cameron has revealed plans to bring 3,800 British troops home from
Afghanistan from next April.

By Rowena Mason, Political correspondent

1:55PM GMT 19 Dec 2012

The Prime Minister said the number of servicemen and women in Afghanistan will fall from 9,000 to 5,200 by the end of 2013.

This paves the way for the withdrawal of almost all forces from the Asian country by 2014, with a small number staying behind in a "non combat role".

Speaking at his weekly questions in the House of Commons, Mr Cameron said: "We have two decisions to make. First of all, the decision about the drawdown of troops between now and the end of 2014.

"Because of the success of our forces and the Afghan National Security Forces, and the fact that we are moving from mentoring at a battalion level to mentoring at a brigade level by the end of 2013, we will be able to see troops come home in two relatively even steps - 2013 and 2014 - leaving probably around 5,200 troops after the end of 2013, compared with the 9,000 that we have now.

"It's a good moment again to pay tribute to the incredible work they've done, many of them going back for tour after tour. The ones I've spoken to recently have been particularly impressed by the capacity of the Afghan national forces."

Mr Cameron said no decisions have been take yet about how many will stay behind after 2014, when Britain and its allies hand over control of the country to domestic Afghan forces.

"We've said very clearly - no-one in a combat role, nothing like the number of troops there are now," he told MPs.

"We've promised the Afghans that we will provide this officer training academy that they've specifically asked for. We are prepared to look at other issues above and beyond that, but that is the starting baseline."

The Prime Minister agreed last night in a video conference call with US President Barack Obama “to bring troops home next year”.

Potential timetables for next year’s withdrawal were discussed by senior ministers and generals at the National Security Committee yesterday.

Mr Cameron’s determination to push ahead with a major withdrawal next year could raise tensions with British commanders, who have urged a more cautious approach.

Philip Hammond, the Defence Secretary, today told MPs that Afghan security forces are making steady progress towards being able to police the country without direct Nato involvement.

He told MPs: "I expect that there will some drawdown in April next year of numbers. Then there will be a period during the fighting season when numbers remain constant and then a further step of drawdown in September/October towards the end of next year.

"The message is clear... everybody talks of an increasing confidence, of an increasing competence and an increasing willingness to engage by the Afghan forces - a step change in the level of what they are able to do."

He said the Taliban insurgency has now "weakened" as there have been fewer recent attacks.

"Democracy is taking hold in Afghanistan," he said in the House of Commons. "Not, of course, in the same shape as here in Britain, but Afghan voters can look forward to a future of their choosing, rather than one that is imposed upon them. Afghan women enjoy a level of participation in their society and their politics that few could have dreamed of even half a decade ago."

British forces have been in Afghanistan since 2001 after the September 11 attacks on the US. Since then, 438 British personnel have died in the country.

In a statement last night, Downing Street said that Mr Cameron and Mr Obama had agreed that their withdrawal plans were on course.

"On Afghanistan, they discussed progress on the plan to hand security responsibility from [Nato forces] to the Afghan National Security Forces, and agreed that the Nato strategy to withdraw combat troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014 was on track. This would present further opportunities for [Nato] countries to bring troops home next year and they agreed to stay in close touch as detailed plans develop,” No 10 said.

“They also agreed on joint work to strengthen the political process, particularly supporting Afghanistan and her neighbours to work together for stability, building on the trilateral discussions with Pakistan led by the United Kingdom.”

General Sir David Richards, the Chief of the Defence Staff, warned this week that an over-hasty retreat could put British troops at greater risk, because Afghan forces might see little reason to help protect them if Nato is seen to “cut and run”.